Article 243N Continuance of existing laws and Panchayats

Notwithstanding anything in this Part, any provision of any law relating to Panchayats in force in a State immediately before the commencement of the Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992, which is inconsistent with the provisions of this Part, shall continue to be in force until amended or repealed by a competent Legislature or other competent authority or until the expiration of one year from such commencement, whichever is earlier: Provided that all the Panchayats existing immediately before such commencement shall continue till the expiration of their duration, unless sooner dissolved by a resolution passed to that effect by the Legislative Assembly of that State or, in the case of a State having a Legislative Council, by each House of the Legislature of that State.

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Article 54 of Indian Constitution

What is Article 243N of Indian Constitution

In essence, Article 243N states that any existing laws related to Panchayats in a state that are inconsistent with the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution (which deals with Panchayats) will continue to be in force until one of the following events occurs:

The law is amended or repealed by a competent Legislature or other competent authority in the state.
The law continues to be in force for one year from the commencement of the Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992, whichever is earlier.

This provision allows for the gradual transition and alignment of existing state laws with the constitutional provisions related to Panchayats introduced by the Seventy-third Amendment to the Constitution. It provides a grace period for states to make necessary changes to bring their laws in conformity with the constitutional requirements.

Article 243N Continuance of existing laws and Panchayats